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2006 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

508 reports with mileage · 72 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 245 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports6 fire reports14 injury reports

Power Train complaints

245 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone it’s a valve body that…

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So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone it’s a valve body that leads to a faulty Tranny I’ve read almost 150 of the same exact accounts on here and Reddit With the same 2006 Vw Jetta 2.5 It’s too common of an issue Most of them were under 100k miles and never dealt with by the manufacturer Myself my car has roughly 168k miles and I’ve been working to fix it up I just got it a month or so ago And now I have to deal with this Honestly is sad that VW hasn’t been held accountable for an issue that is WAY TOO COMMON to not be their fault. I understand the car is almost 20 years old but a bunch of these accounts i were reading dated as far back as 2009 with 86k miles it’s a shame..

NHTSA ODI #11532411

156,000 miles · Jun 3, 2021
Power Train

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission shuddered without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the fail…

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The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission shuddered without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ODI #11419495

102,344 miles · Jun 27, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2006 JETTA THAT I JUST GOT FROM A FRIEND, THEY STATED THAT IT NEEDED SOME SENSORS LIKE THE MAF REPLACED. I SPENT THE 39.99 AND BOUGHT THE CARFAX REPORT AS WELL TO ENSURE IT WAS A GOOD CAR. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT UNTIL I DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME LONGER THAN 20 OR 30 MINUTES. I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIP…

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I HAVE A 2006 JETTA THAT I JUST GOT FROM A FRIEND, THEY STATED THAT IT NEEDED SOME SENSORS LIKE THE MAF REPLACED. I SPENT THE 39.99 AND BOUGHT THE CARFAX REPORT AS WELL TO ENSURE IT WAS A GOOD CAR. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT UNTIL I DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME LONGER THAN 20 OR 30 MINUTES. I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN IT GOT HOT AND THE GEARS NOT SHIFTING. AS I BEGAN TO LOOK UP THESE SYMPTOMS TO VERIFY WHAT THE ISSUE WAS I RAN INTO SOME VERY CONCERNING STATEMENTS. MULTIPLE SOURCES SAY THE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING BAD TRANSMISSIONS/ VALVE BODY ISSUES. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DRIVING 2006 VW JETTA 2.5 LITER AUTOMATIC CARS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE HARD SHIFTING AND SLIPPING AND SOME WERE WORSE THAN THAT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT AND MANY OF THESE OTHER VEHICLES WERE BETWEEN 75K AND 140K. HAVING TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT NEEDING TO SWITCH GEARS BUT STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN. IT DISCOURAGES ME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN ISSUED FOR IT. THERE IS NO WARRANTY ANYMORE . MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY STATED THAT THE 09G VALVE COVER THAT VW USED WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THESE ISSUES AND THEY ARE STILL PRETTY COMMON. HTTPS://WWW.TRANSMISSIONREPAIRCOSTGUIDE.COM/VOLKSWAGEN-JETTA-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS/ HTTPS://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/2006/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/IMPMDINGZOG HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/GLITVICEKFC HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QEGQ0D2NMOM HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/5KVGSJAXATO HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/SCJ0FMNCNNM HTTPS://WWW.JETTAFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLKSWAGEN-JETTA-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/571-2006-JETTA-AUTOMATIC-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS.HTML#/TOPICS/571 HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/TRANSMISSION-GEAR-SLIPPING-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331181

265,000 miles · Jan 4, 2020
Power Train

TRANSMISSION GOES INTO LIMP MODE ONCE VEHICLE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. CODES ARE P1689 AND P0746. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WILL ONLY FUNCTION IN 2ND GEAR AND NOTHING ELSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON INTERSTATES WHERE THE MINIMUM SPEED LIMIT CAN NOT BE REACHED. RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE MECH…

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TRANSMISSION GOES INTO LIMP MODE ONCE VEHICLE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. CODES ARE P1689 AND P0746. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WILL ONLY FUNCTION IN 2ND GEAR AND NOTHING ELSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON INTERSTATES WHERE THE MINIMUM SPEED LIMIT CAN NOT BE REACHED. RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE MECHATRONIC NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11297069

115,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN OF JOHNSON CITY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN OF JOHNSON CITY (3101 E OAKLAND AVE, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601, (423) 952-0888) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11217049

97,000 miles · Sep 1, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION NOR SHIFTING PROPERLY(AUTOMATIC). CREATES SAFETY ISSUES PARTICULARLY ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11123944

163,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL FROM THE ECU AND TRANSMISSION MODULE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE TWO PINS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. COLONIAL VO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL FROM THE ECU AND TRANSMISSION MODULE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE TWO PINS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. COLONIAL VOLKSWAGEN (89 TURNPIKE RD, WEST BOROUGH, MA) WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11061255

180,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SEEMINGLY POPS OUT OF GEAR (GOES FROM 50 MPH TO 10 MPH OR LESS WITH NO WARNING). IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE, EVEN WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. VERY UNSAFE! WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE (ONE WHICH VW RECALLED 2007-2010 MODELS FOR).

NHTSA ODI #11032140

180,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT. FURTHERMORE, THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN OVERNIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LEE SUMMIT VOLKSWAGEN DE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT. FURTHERMORE, THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN OVERNIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LEE SUMMIT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (LOCATED IN LEE SUMMIT, MO, (816) 600-4224) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11012648

250,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Power Train

DEFECTIVE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ALSO THE MECHATRONICS UNITS ARE FAILING AND CAUSING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DROPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING, DROPPING INTO A LOWER GEAR WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES AND VW KNOWS ABOUT IT! THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL SO NOTHING IS BEING DONE!!!!! …

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DEFECTIVE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ALSO THE MECHATRONICS UNITS ARE FAILING AND CAUSING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DROPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING, DROPPING INTO A LOWER GEAR WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES AND VW KNOWS ABOUT IT! THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL SO NOTHING IS BEING DONE!!!!! PLEASE HELP, HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN IN WARRANTY AND NOTHING WAS DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10938597

Official recalls

4

10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 10, 2010

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

09V164000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

May 19, 2009

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

07V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Sep 24, 2007

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

07V284000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Jun 25, 2007

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHAFING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FUEL LEAK OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND WILL ALSO INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.